1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve?
The stasis is over a period of time in the 90’s in the US going into the period of growing Asian racism within the state department. It shows the struggles that the main character, David, has while he is struggling with standing up for his race while also attempting to save his own face when he accidentally casts a white man, Marcus Gee, in an Asian role, something he had previously spoken out against. It also focuses on his relationship with his dad and his dad’s relationship with America.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion in this play is when David realizes his mistake of casting Marcus Gee, a white actor, to play an Asian role. This is what leads to all the dilemma of him fighting Marcus and his struggle with being able to stand for his identity.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
This is the day that Dived Hwang decides that he is going to speak out against Yellow-Face setting up the problems that must be faced going forward.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
-Will Marcus get found out? -This is an important question that could implicate David as well and make him seem as if he was against his morals. -How will David navigate his way out of the mess? -This is also answered with the other question. It turns out the only way for David to expose the fallacies in the investigation is to expose himself and Marcus.
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
The play opens with a me vs. society issue as David has to attempt to fight against the casting of white man in an upcoming broadway show, but it develops as Me vs. Myself as David then accidentally casts a white man in his newly written Asian role. This causes him to go back and forth with himself not knowing what to do. This again shifts but this time to a man vs. another along with a man vs society after he fires Marcus. Marcus goes on to become very successful using the Asian identity that David gave to him. David resents him for this, but despite that, Marcus becomes very respected in the Asian-American community. This makes David have disconnect with that same community, but it is a disconnect he caused. All of these situations intertwine and create one of the most complex obstacle narratives I have seen and we have in class thus far.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
There are many theatrical moments in this play such as the conversation David has with the reporter, but the most theatrical in the revealing of Marcus at the end. This is shocking revelation to the others in the play, and it causes many questions to be raised. It stretched the regular notion of conformity, ethnicity, race, and how one portrays themselves.
The stasis is over a period of time in the 90’s in the US going into the period of growing Asian racism within the state department. It shows the struggles that the main character, David, has while he is struggling with standing up for his race while also attempting to save his own face when he accidentally casts a white man, Marcus Gee, in an Asian role, something he had previously spoken out against. It also focuses on his relationship with his dad and his dad’s relationship with America.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
The intrusion in this play is when David realizes his mistake of casting Marcus Gee, a white actor, to play an Asian role. This is what leads to all the dilemma of him fighting Marcus and his struggle with being able to stand for his identity.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
This is the day that Dived Hwang decides that he is going to speak out against Yellow-Face setting up the problems that must be faced going forward.
4. State the dramatic question that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
-Will Marcus get found out?
-This is an important question that could implicate David as well and make him seem as if he was against his morals.
-How will David navigate his way out of the mess?
-This is also answered with the other question. It turns out the only way for David to expose the fallacies in the investigation is to expose himself and Marcus.
5. Use Hwang’s “character” to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
The play opens with a me vs. society issue as David has to attempt to fight against the casting of white man in an upcoming broadway show, but it develops as Me vs. Myself as David then accidentally casts a white man in his newly written Asian role. This causes him to go back and forth with himself not knowing what to do. This again shifts but this time to a man vs. another along with a man vs society after he fires Marcus. Marcus goes on to become very successful using the Asian identity that David gave to him. David resents him for this, but despite that, Marcus becomes very respected in the Asian-American community. This makes David have disconnect with that same community, but it is a disconnect he caused. All of these situations intertwine and create one of the most complex obstacle narratives I have seen and we have in class thus far.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Yellow Face.
There are many theatrical moments in this play such as the conversation David has with the reporter, but the most theatrical in the revealing of Marcus at the end. This is shocking revelation to the others in the play, and it causes many questions to be raised. It stretched the regular notion of conformity, ethnicity, race, and how one portrays themselves.